Five cash prizes will be awarded, with purchase awards totaling a minimum or $2,000 through local organizations including the �㽶��Ƶ permanent collection.

Artworks will be judged by Donald Furst, emeritus professor of art at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. As a faculty member for nearly 40 years, Furst received numerous teaching distinctions and is currently the operator of Ars Longa Press, a fine art atelier specializing in stone lithography, mezzotint and other forms of intaglio printmaking. His work has been exhibited and collected internationally.

The community is invited to the opening reception and awards presentation on Thursday, Aug. 20, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

The Webber Gallery located on the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road, and is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit CF.edu/Webber or call 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

The post CF Webber Gallery presents printmaking exhibition appeared first on College Of Central Florida.

“American art tells the story of who we are, where we have been, and how we see ourselves,” said Victoria Billig, Appleton assistant director. “We invite visitors to spend time with the works featured in “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” and reflect on the many ways artists have interpreted the American experience.”

Free admission provides an opportunity for first-time and returning visitors alike to not only explore the museum’s galleries, but also participate in educational programming. On July 24 at 1 p.m., enjoy a free talk in the auditorium by Dr. Keri Watson: “Picturing Paradise: From John James Audubon to the Florida Highwaymen.” The Florida landscape has provided aesthetic inspiration to artists for centuries. Titian Ramsay Peale and John James Audubon came in search of native flora and fauna, followed by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Martin Johnson Heade, George Inness, Winslow Homer and Henry Ossawa Tanner, who were lured by its natural beauty and warm climate. Through their stories and artwork, this presentation offers an engaging overview of Florida’s landscape painting tradition. This talk is free to attend; no reservation needed. Auditorium seating is limited to 250 on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. A campus of the �㽶��Ƶ, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455, or visit .

The post CF Appleton Museum offers free admission throughout July appeared first on College Of Central Florida.

This marks the seventh consecutive year the CF Foundation has received funding from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County through the Edward K. Roberts Community College Fund, bringing their total scholarship support to $480,000.

Since 2020, the Edward K. Roberts Scholarship has helped more than 200 CF students pursue their educational goals and remain enrolled despite financial challenges. Funding is available for students studying at the CF Ocala Campus, Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus and Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus.

“We are thankful for the continued support of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Edward K. Roberts Community College Fund, said Jerry Benton, chair of the CF Foundation board of directors. “This scholarship opens doors for students who are working hard to create brighter futures for themselves and their families.”

The scholarship reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to higher education and supporting student success across the state of Florida.

About the CF Foundation
The CF Foundation, founded in 1959, is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation that enhances the college’s programs and services through the development and management of private contributions and community partnerships. To learn more, visit CF.edu/Foundation.

About the Community Foundation of Sarasota County
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. With assets of $605 million in more than 1,600 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $44.7 million last year in the areas of education, the arts, health and human services, civic engagement, animal welfare and the environment. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has granted more than $542 million to nonprofit organizations throughout the community thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families and businesses. For more information, visit CFSarasota.org.

The post CF Foundation receives grant to help students overcome financial barriers appeared first on College Of Central Florida.

After receiving a Brownie camera from his father as a boy, Levenson developed a lifelong passion for photography. He studied the medium at the Rhode Island School of Design before going on to work with Robert Frank and develop prints for Richard Avedon. In addition to his career as a photographer, he taught at the University of Ottawa and lectured at Harvard and Brown University.

Drawn from the 80 works by Levenson in the Appleton’s permanent collection, “Life, Labor and Lens” features 25 black-and-white and color photographs that evoke a sense of familiarity and nostalgia.

Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month. Additionally, museum admission is free throughout the month of July in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. A campus of the �㽶��Ƶ, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455, or visit .

The post Photographs by Randal Levenson Opening at CF’s Appleton Museum of Art appeared first on College Of Central Florida.

Joyce Brancato, vice chair, is an adjunct associate professor with the University of Maryland Global Campus and previously served as chief executive officer of Seven Rivers Medical Center.

Rusty Branson is the president of SouthState Bank and is a member of the Marion County Hospital District board of directors.

Bobby Durrance is a retired Levy County Public Schools administrator and educator and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Bill Edgar is a self-employed business consultant and a veteran of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Fred Roberts Jr. is a partner and attorney for Klein & Klein, PLLC, and has served as a board member for the Marion County Bar Association.

Charlie Stone, chair, is the president and owner of Stone Petroleum Products, Inc. and a previously elected member of the Florida House of Representatives and the Marion County Board of Commissioners.

These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

The seventh member of the CF District Board of Trustees is Jose Juarez, who was appointed by Gov. DeSantis in August 2025.

The post Six Reappointed to CF District Board of Trustees appeared first on College Of Central Florida.

At this event, future students can apply to the college with no fee, start the financial aid application, speak with advisors about program and degree options, and tour the campus. The college will give away free CF merchandise and attendees may enter to receive a scholarship to cover tuition for one class at the in-state rate.

Additional Application Day events will be held Saturday, June 13, from 9-11 a.m. at the Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road, and Tuesday, June 16, 2-5 p.m. at the Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, 15390 N.W. Highway 19, Chiefland.

For more information, visit CF.edu/ApplicationDay.

The post �㽶��Ƶ hosts Application Day at Citrus Campus appeared first on College Of Central Florida.

At this event, future students can apply to the college with no fee, start the financial aid application, speak with advisors about program and degree options, and tour the campus. The college will give away free CF merchandise and attendees may enter to receive a scholarship to cover tuition for one class at the in-state rate.

Additional Application Day events will be held Saturday, June 13, from 9-11 a.m. at the Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road, and Monday, June 15, 2-5 p.m. at the Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto.

For more information, visit CF.edu/ApplicationDay.

The post �㽶��Ƶ hosts Application Day at Levy Campus appeared first on College Of Central Florida.

At this event, future students can apply to the college with no fee, start the financial aid application, speak with advisors about program and degree options, and tour the campus. The college will give away free CF merchandise and attendees may enter to receive a scholarship to cover tuition for one class at the in-state rate. Students also may choose to take a placement test, which starts promptly at 8 a.m.

Additional Application Day events will be held Monday, June 15, from 2-5 p.m. at the Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, and Tuesday, June 16, 2-5 p.m. at the Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, 15390 N.W. Highway 19, Chiefland.

For more information, visit CF.edu/ApplicationDay.

The post �㽶��Ƶ hosts Application Day appeared first on College Of Central Florida.

Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and participating museums across America.

In addition to the Appleton Museum of Art, the Blue Star Museums program includes children’s museums, art, science and history museums, zoos, gardens, lighthouses and more, in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The current list of participating museums will continue to grow as organizations can register to be a Blue Star Museum throughout the summer.

The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military — Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps — and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Conventions common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.

The Appleton extends free entry to U.S. military veterans, who receive free admission year-round. Veterans can show a Veteran ID Card (VIC), Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) or the Veterans designation on their state-issued driver’s license or ID for entrance.

“Museum founder Arthur I. Appleton served as a Navy Lieutenant during World War II. We are honored to once again partner with Blue Star Museums and also extend free entry to veterans and their families,” said Appleton Director Jason Steuber.

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. A campus of the �㽶��Ƶ, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month. For more information, call 352-291-4455, or visit .

The post CF Appleton Museum of Art is a 2026 Blue Star Museum appeared first on College Of Central Florida.

Tuition at CF is about half the cost of a Florida public university, making CF a smart economical option for students to start their academic journey. CF also offers support systems including small class sizes, award-winning faculty and free tutoring and counseling available for every student. More than half of CF students are enrolled in the Associate in Arts degree, which prepares them to transfer to a university after two years at CF.

“The �㽶��Ƶ is proud to be at the forefront of high-tech agriculture education, and establishing this transfer pathway allows more students to start at CF for half the cost of a university,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “Students can begin as a CF Patriot, get a head start with an affordable and high-quality education, and then graduate as a Florida Gator. This new partnership with the University of Florida gives our students a guided pathway to set them up for success.”

Through the Gator Tracks partnership, qualifying students interested in one of 20 eligible majors, such as agricultural operations management, geomatics, entomology and nematology or wildlife ecology and conservation, can now work hand-in-hand with a UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences academic advisor as they prepare to transition from their associate degree to a UF bachelor’s degree. As a top public university, UF’s admission process is highly competitive, and this partnership ensures CF graduates have a clear path to attaining that top-tier education.

“Florida is filled with talented students, and many of them start their collegiate journey with an associate degree at a state or community college,” said Kati Migliaccio, dean of UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. “With Gator Tracks, we’re removing barriers and providing a clear, supported pathway for those students to achieve their academic goals.”

For more information about the Gator Tracks Transfer Pathway, visit CF.edu/GatorTracks.

The post CF announces Gator Tracks partnership appeared first on College Of Central Florida.